Before going to save Tanzania.
Askan was searching for a way to divert Ruphilmo’s attention elsewhere. Although he wanted to kill both Seluna and Ruphilmo, he exercised patience because their disappearance would weaken the influence of Helcyon. To instigate a war with other nations, Helcyon was still needed as the emperor.
‘If I intervene in the transportation of Calspelliver, Lord Manoco would be more suspicious.’
If Askan took direct action, there was a greater possibility that Ruphilmo would persistently dig deeper. Ruphilmo had already noticed the suspicious movements of the Imperial Guard tonight and personally volunteered to supervise the transportation of Calspelliver.
Askan didn’t exactly know what Ruphilmo was aiming for, but if it were more exposed here, the plan to replace Calspelliver with a decoy could not be executed at all.
‘Hiding my presence while manipulating the raccoon-like Lord Manoco…’
It seemed unrelated to Askan, but something was needed to instantly capture Ruphilmo’s attention.
However, time was too short to create such a perfect situation.
Askan, pondering, frowned and swept his bangs aside.
It couldn’t be helped. The outcome was uncertain, but all Askan could do was hope that Ruphilmo would take the bait.
Askan called the closest Imperial Guard member, Calton.
“Isn’t it almost time to transport Calspelliver?”
“Yes, Commander.”
Since Helcyon’s ascent to the throne was not long ago, the nobles of the Kallua Empire were eager to seize power. According to the information, there was a noble who had recently met with Ruphilmo frequently. Currently, using him to lure Ruphilmo out seemed to be the best option.
“We don’t have much time. Where is Bill?”
“Captain Bill is conversing with Brellope Youngae alone.”
“…Brellope Youngae?”
Tanzania and Bill – something didn’t feel right.
Just then, Bill approached Askan with a bright face from a distance.
“Brother.”
Despite the unfavorable situation, Bill’s expression was so cheerful that it felt strange.
“Do you have good news or something?”
Nodding, Bill responded with a lively voice.
“Well, if it’s good news, it’s good news. If I succeed, I might be able to divert Lord Manoco’s attention elsewhere.”
“How?”
“I met Brellope Youngae a while ago. She didn’t tell me what she needs help with, but she asked me to tell her the method without explaining the details.”
“…What?”
It was unclear how Tanzania noticed today’s events. The Imperial Guard had meticulously prepared for a long time, so Ruphilmo only detected suspicious signs. However, there was no way to know how a noble from another empire, like her, found out.
It could only be expressed as extraordinary.
Bill’s words continued.
“Come to think of it, Brellope Youngae is the only bait we have. She’s currently the most targeted person in the Manoco family. So, I subtly mentioned that it would be good to divert the Marquis’s attention. She’s a clever woman; if she understood my words… ”
“You said such a thing?”
Instantly, Askan’s expression stiffened.
If Tanzania had heard Bill’s words, she would not remain silent. She had previously tried to take an arrow for him. This time, it was unclear what measures she might take. Perhaps she didn’t even know if she would choose a dangerous path.
Askan quickly turned to Calton and spoke again.
“Bring someone from the Manoco family inside the banquet hall. We need to find out what trap they’ve prepared tonight.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Bill, who heard Askan’s words, was surprised. With a perplexed expression, he said, “Brother, wouldn’t it be good if Brellope Youngae intervened instead?”
Askan and Bill had been running towards the same goal for a long time. To bring about the world’s destruction they desired, Calspelliver was needed, and Bill had no qualms sacrificing Tanzania for his purpose.
However, Askan was different. Even if he couldn’t obtain Calspelliver this time, he couldn’t sacrifice Tanzania.
Their values were different, so their judgments differed.
“Bill, I understand why you said such words, but this method won’t work.”
“But it’s Calspelliver, brother. No matter who sacrifices, it wouldn’t be a waste…”
“Don’t say it twice. Brellope Youngae is absolutely not an option.”
Bill looked at Askan with slightly trembling eyes, seemingly shocked.
However, Askan remained steadfast. In any situation, he couldn’t put Tanzania in danger.
Just then, Calton, who had disappeared somewhere, quickly approached and reported.
“Commander, I’ve captured someone from the Manoco family.”
“Bring them immediately.”
Askan immediately started walking. There was no time to hesitate that Tanzania might make a dangerous choice.
As Bill, left alone, hurriedly spoke as if trying to stop Askan.
“Brother, it’s time to transport Calspelliver soon. Leaving like this means we’ll miss this opportunity.”
Even so, Askan didn’t stop walking. He just looked back at Bill and quietly replied.
“We can seize opportunities next time. But Tanzania is one of a kind.”
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
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Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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